A brahmin of Vettavati. Mātanga incurred his wrath by throwing his toothpick so that it fell into the river and stuck in Jātimanta's hair. The latter therefore cursed Mātanga that his head should split in seven. Mātanga stopped the sun from rising till Jātimanta was forced to ask his pardon. J.iv.388f; in SA. (ii.176f.) the reason given for the curse was that Mātanga happened to tread on Jātimanta's head.